Zzz...
The fluffy electromagnetic waves gathered over Dratini's head.
Indeed, just as Natsuhiko mentioned, there were enough free electrons around, making Dratini's electromagnetic waves even more spectacular than when facing the two Golbats outside.
Deliberately slowing down, it was thrown towards the other side of the corridor.
At the same time, Weedle, following Natsuhiko's command, unleashed a Power Grid at the Magnemite wall. Like Dratini, the current on Weedle's Power Grid was more intense.
The current focus was whether Weedle's Power Grid could awaken Magnemite, and whether Dratini's electromagnetic waves could attract their attention.
Under the slightly tense gaze of Natsuhiko and Lance, the Power Grid successfully adhered to the Magnemites, which had no intention of dodging.
Zzzz—
Like an electric shock, many of the Magnemite trembled slightly.
Then, their previously dazed eyes slowly regained clarity.
Magnemite.
They were awakened!
If it had been a normal attack, it might not have woken them up; it could even provoke their ferocity, but this was an Electric-type Technique.
The roused Magnemite soon felt hungry.
Blinking, they saw a fluffy, cotton candy-like delicious current not far away—this was their favorite!
"Bzz~~"
Suddenly, accompanied by happy cries, each Magnemite left its original spot, drifting towards the electromagnetic waves released by Dratini, forming a magnetic line connecting them down the corridor.
"It worked!" Lance's eyes lit up with joy.
"Let's go!" Natsuhiko shouted in a low voice, being the first to dash out, sticking close to the wall.
Lance followed closely behind.
Although some Magnemite hadn't awakened, the wall they formed now had a significant gap, enough for both to slip through.
Once past the Magnemite, Natsuhiko and Lance didn't stop, quickly turning the corner.
Who knows if the Magnemite would go berserk from hunger.
"Just around another corner, and we'll reach the control room." Lance glanced at the map on the wall.
"There's another serious issue." Natsuhiko pursed his lips, his expression slightly odd.
"What?"
"Even if we reach the control room, do you know how to operate those panels?"
Lance: "..."
Lance was momentarily stunned but then understood.
Exactly!
Even if they reached the control room, they probably wouldn't understand a thing about operating the panels, let alone control them.
Looking around, "We've come this far; it'll take people from Goldenrod City a while to get here, let's just go and see for ourselves."
"Mm."
There really wasn't any other option, considering how far they've come.
However, the closer they got to the control room, the graver Natsuhiko's and Lance's expressions became.
Because, in the air...
They smelled blood!
Soon, several dead bodies, resembling power plant staff, appeared before their eyes.
Lance briefly examined their wounds and cause of death.
He said solemnly, "Not human-caused, likely some Pokémon."
Natsuhiko suddenly thought, "Perhaps... the person controlling the power plant hasn't left yet..."
There was indeed such a possibility!
"Heyloo!!"
While the two were lost in their thoughts, a fierce roar came from the depths of the corridor, and the lights above began to flicker.
A Pokémon with a yellow and black body, muscular limbs, a thunderbolt symbol on its chest formed by black fur, and two heads with flickering yellow arcs, charged towards Natsuhiko and Lance with heavy footsteps, its eyes red and vicious.
Electric-type Pokémon!
Electabuzz!
Crackle—
With arcs leaping, a dense golden stream of electricity gathered in its hand, like a strongman holding an iron disc, bending over, crouching, throwing, all in one go.
Electric Shock!
With no warning, it launched an attack at the two.
Natsuhiko and Lance reacted quickly.
"Weedle, Power Grid!"
"Dratini, Tornado!"
The two Pokémon instantly understood. Weedle opened its mouth and immediately spat out a Power Grid to envelop the incoming Electric Shock, while Dratini swung its tail to create a small whirlwind, striking the Electric Shock as it was caught in the Power Grid.
But at the same time, Electabuzz took advantage of the distraction from their defense against its attack, transforming into a streak of dazzling light and rapidly closing in on them.
Electric Flash!
The speed was astounding, possibly the fastest Natsuhiko had ever seen among all Pokémon.
And Electabuzz's target locked onto the seemingly weaker Weedle.
This strike, unavoidable!
Bang!
A solid and dull collision, the difference in size and strength directly sent Weedle flying.
"Ugh!"
Weedle cried out in pain.
Meanwhile, Lance remained unfazed by Weedle's being knocked away, taking advantage of Electabuzz's brief pause after striking Weedle.
"Dratini, Tight Binding!"
"Onder!"
Dratini, like a snake, swiftly wrapped itself around Electabuzz's side, its slender and smooth body coiling tightly around Electabuzz.
As its scales undulated, contracting slowly, Electabuzz felt the rapid depletion of air in its chest.
"Argh!!"
A furious shout erupted as its muscles bulged, and the two antennae on its head released a dazzling Thunderlight, surging currents erupted violently, shocking both itself and the Dratini wrapped around it.
"Natsuhiko!" Lance saw Dratini in distress, his expression serious but not panicked, shouting loudly.
"I know." Natsuhiko narrowed his eyes in response and quickly instructed Weedle, "Get close! Poison Needle!"
Weedle, having been knocked away, quickly crawled back, once more before Natsuhiko. Its seven pairs of legs moved rapidly, approaching the entangled Electabuzz and Dratini as fast as possible.
Now that Dratini and Electabuzz were entwined, and Electabuzz was struggling frantically, Weedle couldn't ensure the Poison Needle wouldn't accidentally harm Dratini.
Moreover, Natsuhiko deduced from the two collisions with Electabuzz that its trait wasn't the common Static Electricity, but the hidden trait of Enthusiasm.
This explained why it wasn't confused like Magnemite and others.
Therefore, Weedle's approach wouldn't pose any danger.
Weedle raised its head, aiming at the exposed part of Electabuzz's body.
It arched its body and leaped, its eyes fixed on that black fur of Electabuzz's chest that formed a lightning mark.
"Ugh!"
This time, it didn't shoot three Poison Needles, but just one, aimed at Electabuzz's chest.
Thud –
The Poison Needle accurately pierced through the gaps of Dratini's binding, penetrating the skin and lodging into Electabuzz's chest.
"Argh!!"
A miserable scream as Electabuzz's eyes widened, the fur on its chest was instantly corroded, revealing the flesh beneath.
A deep purple dark stain spread rapidly like a spiderweb, and black, viscous liquid slowly oozed from the singular small hole.
Poisoned.
Lance watched this scene in astonishment; previously, during the battle with Golbat, he couldn't perceive the strength of Weedle's poison, but now he witnessed it.
He couldn't help but say, "So poisonous?"
Natsuhiko nodded, "Try again."
Weedle immediately shot another Poison Needle, embedding it in Electabuzz's ankle.
Electabuzz, who could barely endure, again suffering the toxin's invasion, could no longer maintain its posture and stumbled to the ground, with Dratini also disengaging from it.
Bam!
Electabuzz, lying on the ground, twitched continuously, its body swiftly invaded by purple, showing more distinct signs of poisoning.
"Such potent poison," Lance sighed.
Previously, Lance had observed Dratini and Electabuzz's entanglement firsthand, with Dratini barely managing to bind it.
A body so robust, brought down by just two Poison Needles, and judging by Electabuzz's appearance and the toxin spread rate, without treatment within half an hour, it might be poisoned to death alive.
Terrifying toxin!
Dratini, carrying a hint of fear, approached Weedle.
"Umwu~~" It raised its tail, gently rubbing Weedle's body in a gesture of goodwill.
Anyone unaware might mistake it for Weedle disguised under Dratini's exterior, reaching out to Dratini concealed within a Weedle exterior.
"Ugh!" Weedle lifted its head with slight pride, the sharp horn on top glistening.
I, Weedle, am devoid of emotion!
——————
Had something in the morning, update is a bit late, still three updates today!